Two expenditure sensitive constituencies in dist

DHNS || Gulbarga: Deputy Commissioner R Venkatesh Kumar said, Jewargi and Afzalpur Assembly Constituencies have been identified as Expenditure Sensitive Constituencies in the district by the election commission and flying squads will be deputed in the constituencies for round-the-clock monitor.

Addressing a press conference on the back of the announcement of poll dates and model code of conduct for Assembly elections in the State, at DC office auditorium here on Tuesday, Kumar said the constituencies have been declared expenditure sensitive based on previous instances of poll code violation like money seized, clashes including communal and others.

As many as nine flying squads have been deputed for the two constituencies. The squads will keep a 24X7 watch on the constituencies in three shifts of eight hours each. However, for other seven constituencies in the district, six flying squads will be deputed, he added.

Critical polling booths

Deputy Commissioner said that, based on the previous years poll code violations, as many as 71 polling stations have been identified as critical polling booths and 70 as vulnerable polling booths.

He said confidence building measures like holding of peace committee meetings will be taken up to ensure normal polling.

Toll free helpline

Kumar said, a 24X7 helpline centre with toll free number 1077 has been set up at district-level for any query or complaint regarding elections. People can seek any information related to polls, air their grievances and can also complaint against poll code violations.

The helpline will also give information about election developments, he added. There are plans to set up such helpline centres at taluk level. This apart, two helplines will be set up at every Assembly constituency.

MCMC cell

The DC said that election commission had given them guidelines for monitoring of content in media including social media. “The Media Certificate and Monitoring Committee Cell has been established at deputy commissioner’s office for the purpose.”

The cell will scan for paid news, offensive and derogatory contents and others.
Kumar, however, said that there is no such thing as limit in social media on canvassing but in conformity with MCC.

Unregistered media

Deputy Commissioner also said that strict actions will be taken against the personnel and activities of unregistered media.

Replying to a question, Kumar said, members of civil societies were free to organise programmes provided they took prior permission and within the ambit of MCC.

Check posts

The DC said, as many as 24 check posts had been established in the district to ensure free and fair election. Personnel from Police, excise and commercial tax departments will man the checkposts 24X7 in three shifts of eight hours each.